Seattle Mariners Top 12 Prospect Rankings

by Dave Gershman on Feb 8, 2012 2:06 PM EST in Prospect Perspective

Tier 1 (4 points): Major League Star -- Number One Starter

Tier 2 (3 points): Stand Out/Above Average Regular -- Number Two/Exceptional Three Starter

Tier 3 (2 points): Solid, Average, Every Day Regular -- Number Three/Solid Four Starter

Tier 4 (1 point): Bench/Below Average Regular -- Borderline Four/Number Five Starter/Relief Pitcher

Seattle Mariners - 32 points

Tier 1:

Jesus Montero: C/1B

Taijuan Walker: RHP

Danny Hultzen: LHP

Tier 2:

James Paxton: LHP

Nick Franklin: SS/INF

Guillermo Pimentel: OF/IF

Tier 3:

Erasmo Ramirez: RHP

Francisco Martinez: 3B

Chance Ruffin: RHP

Phillips Castillo: OF

Vinnie Catricala: 3B

Tier 4:

Chih-Hsien Chiang: OF

previously ranked systems

Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays
Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays
Oakland Athletics

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Does the fact that you have Chance Ruffin in Tier 3 mean you don't see him as a relief pitcher?

If so, what chance does he have at becoming a starter?

by quacker27 on Feb 8, 2012 4:36 PM EST reply actions

He's definitely a reliever

But quite possible a very good one. Tier three denotes a major league average player, which is what I see him being down the line.

Dave Gershman - Beyond the Box Score
Penn League Report / Twitter: @Dave_Gershman / Getting Blanked

by Dave Gershman on Feb 9, 2012 12:53 AM EST up reply actions

Paxton

The “saber-slanted” community prefers the college kid over the power lefty who dominated AA, albeit in a SSS. Interesting.

Most arguments are really about context.

by SheaWasBettor21 on Feb 8, 2012 6:56 PM EST reply actions

All about upsides

If you’re referring to Hultzen, yeah, I like his future better than Paxton’s.

Dave Gershman - Beyond the Box Score
Penn League Report / Twitter: @Dave_Gershman / Getting Blanked

by Dave Gershman on Feb 9, 2012 12:54 AM EST up reply actions

Paxton

6-4, 200 lbs, lefty, sits mid 90s, touches upper 90s, power curve ball, almost 13 K/9 and 3:1 K:BB in his first pro season.

Do we really think we’re smart enough to limit the upside of a guy like this?

Most arguments are really about context.

by SheaWasBettor21 on Feb 9, 2012 1:06 AM EST up reply actions

Hultzen was the number 2 pick in the draft, so you would think he’s got to have star potential. Then again, most people think that his upside isn’t quite as high as you would normally project for someone taken that high, and his placement there was based mostly on his likelyhood to achieve his floor and provide more certain value, within a more immediate time-frame. In other words, he’s seen as almost Major league ready, and will almost certainly be a fixture in a Major League rotation, even if he doesn’t rise to an All-Star or elite level.

Paxton, meanwhile, has flashed signs of brilliance in less than a full season of Minor League play, albeit with some warts along the way. The way he looked in his first go-around in pro ball, it seems the sky’s the limit for him. As with almost any player, there are some question marks, but without seeing Hultzen in a controlled minor league environment yet, there are question marks for him too. He’s a little bit more unknowable right now. I’d rather take the guy who we’ve seen over the guy who we haven’t yet.

by nathaniel dawson on Feb 12, 2012 10:07 PM EST up reply actions